Monday, August 20, 2012

Texas A&M Horticultural Sciences and Texas AgriLife Extension Service were well represented at the Texas Nursery and Landscape Expo at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston last weekend. New Department Head, Dr. Dan Lineberger, attended the show as did the Horticulture advising team.

Dr. Arnold, Dr. Gu, and Dr. Hall each presented at the Education Conference held on Thursday. Lots of former students stopped by to say, 'Howdy' and a good time was enjoyed by all.

Monday, August 13, 2012

The Undergraduate Research
Scholars program provides students the opportunity to participate in an
independent research project under the guidance of a faculty member.
Students produce an undergraduate research thesis, present their results at a
conference, and receive recognition upon completion on their transcript at
graduation.

Dr. Duncan MacKenzie, Associate
Director for Undergraduate Research in the Office of Honors and Undergraduate
Research, will describe the scope of the Scholars program, the procedures for
applying, and the expectations for successful completion. If you are
interested in becoming an Undergraduate Research Scholar or you are a faculty
member interested in mentoring a Scholar, come hear about the program and bring
your questions.

Scholars Informational Session:

Thursday, August 30, from 6-7 pm in the Interdisciplinary
Life Sciences Building (ILSB) auditorium

To qualify for the 2012-13
Undergraduate Research Scholars program, students must have completed at least
60 hours of undergraduate course work, including at least 24 credit hours at
Texas A&M. Students must also have and maintain a cumulative Texas A&M
GPR of 3.0 or better, be currently involved in or planning a suitable
undergraduate project, and be expecting to graduate May, 2013 or later.

Fall 2012 Hands-on project Hort 485 - Green roofs on campus (1-3 credits)
Upon completion of this class you will be able to:
*Describe the general design of a green roof system
*Identify and propagate suitable plants
*Install green roof plants
*Maintain a green roof system
*Install devices for environmental data collection
*Develop a research protocol
*Organize and carry out an experimental design
*Collect and analyze data present a report or paper

Four Aggies represented the TAMU Horticulture Club at the
national meetings of the American Society for Horticultural Science held July
30th – August 3rd in Miami.Club president Yessica Garcia was accompanied
by members Cassie Warren, Janos Arnosky and Page Hamby (club treasurer) at the
annual event that includes the Association of Collegiate Branches horticultural
commodity judging contest.Janos Arnosky
was the high scoring individual overall and the high score in the
greenhouse/floral and foliage plants division, and Yessica Garcia was the high
individual in the vegetable division.The
club placed second overall to the team from Middle Tennessee State
University.

Cassie Warren served as national vice-president of the
Collegiate Branches organization this year, and presented the contest results
at the ASHS business meeting.Yessica
Garcia was elected ACB president for the upcoming year.

In other award news, Lauren Garcia was named a prestigious
ASHS Scholar and the Horticulture Club was named the most outstanding club in
the country.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Congratulations! Here are a few things to help you prepare for
your big day.

The graduation breakfast
has been canceled. It seems the majority of you will not be arriving
in time prior to the commencement ceremony so we have canceled the
graduation breakfast. On behalf of the Department of Horticultural
Sciences, please accept our warmest congratulations and send our regards
to your family and friends.

The graduation ceremony
begins at 9:00 a.m. in Reed Arena. Make sure to arrive at least 45
minutes before the ceremony. Bring your cap and gown and wear
sensible shoes because you will be walking down lots of stairs.
Graduates will enter Reed Arena by the north entrance (if you’re looking
at the front of Reed Arena, it’s the side to the right). Once
you get in the door you will notice that graduates will line up in two
areas depending on your major and degree. The BA HORT and BS HORT majors
will line up downstairs. Just follow the directions. Once you
get to the room, there will be signs where each major will assemble.
Carol Nesbitt or I will be in your designated area with you. Your
guests can enter any door and tickets are not required. If you have
a large group and they want to sit together, we urge them to arrive
early.

You may show your
creativity by decorating your mortar board. If you plan to bring a
purse or cell phone, remember that you will carry it throughout the
ceremony- there is no place to store these items.

To graduate with Latin
honors requires a minimum of 60 passed hours at Texas A&M University
(excluding Credit by Exam and Graduate Level courses) with a minimum GPR
of 3.500. If you fit these qualifications, you will receive a golden
honor stole to be worn in the ceremony. You can pick up your stole
inside of the room where graduates will line up.

Please make sure all of
your final grades from other schools, incomplete grades, credit by exams,
etc. are sent to TAMU by Thursday, August 9 at noon. All degree
candidates who were enrolled in all remaining degree requirements during
the semester, in which the graduation is being held, will be allowed to
participate in commencement regardless of whether they pass the final audit
on August 9. Candidates who are not certified for graduation will
not receive a diploma at commencement and will get an empty tube.
Due to the short time remaining on Friday to finalize honors and
stack diplomas, no one will be available to assist with graduation
problems until Monday, August 13. Students may go to the General Services
Complex, 750 Agronomy Road, Suite 1501, to discuss problems or email
inquiries to degree-audit@tamu.edu
. Diplomas will not be distributed until Wednesday, August 15, 2012.
Diplomas will be available to degree candidates immediately after problems
are solved and certification is accomplished. You may also have your
diploma sent to you by emailing degree-audit@tamu.edu
and they will provide instructions. Degree candidates not clearing
for graduation on August 9 will have until 5 p.m. the first Friday of the
fall semester (August 31, 2012) to clear all problems. Candidates not
cleared must reapply for fall 2012 graduation and pay the diploma fee
again. If this happens, you will need to cancel your August
graduation at: http://admissions.tamu.edu/forms/registrarForms/CancelGradForm.pdf
and reapply for fall 2012 graduation by the deadline at http://admissions.tamu.edu/Registrar/Current/GradInfo.aspx

You will graduate with 609 fellow Aggies at the Friday
Ceremony and it should last approximately 2 hours. We will take a group
HORT photo. You are strongly encouraged to stay for the entire
ceremony. See you there.